Understanding Land Measurement in India: A Comprehensive Guide
India's land measurement system is one of the most complex in the world, reflecting centuries of history, diverse cultures, and administrative changes. From the Bigha of the Gangetic plains to the Guntha of the Deccan Plateau and the Cent of the southern peninsula, navigating these units requires precise local knowledge.
The North-South Divide
In Northern and Eastern India (UP, Bihar, Punjab), units like Bigha, Biswa, and Katha dominate. These are historical units often standardized by Emperor Akbar's administration. In contrast, Southern and Western India (Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu) use the Guntha and Cent, which were standardized during the British colonial survey systems.
Standardization vs. Reality
While the official legal unit for land deeds (Registry) in India is the Hectare or Square Meter, local negotiations and Satbara Utara (7/12) extracts still use traditional units. This creates a gap where a buyer must convert "20 Gunthas" into "Square Feet" to understand the true value of a plot.
Why Online Converters Fail
The biggest risk in Indian real estate is the "Generic Calculator Error." A standard Google search might tell you that 1 Bigha is 27,000 sq ft. However, if you are buying land in Western Uttar Pradesh (e.g., Meerut), the local "Kachha Bigha" is actually around 6,800 sq ft. Relying on a generic value could lead to a 75% overestimation of the land area and a massive financial loss.
Our platform helps you avoid this by offering District-Level Precision. We account for local revenue codes (Tehsil variations) to ensure your conversion matches the actual ground reality.
Quick Reference: Standard Conversion Values (2024)
| Unit Name | Region Commonly Used | Approx. Value (Sq. Ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Guntha | Maharashtra, Karnataka | 1,089 |
| 1 Bigha (Pucca) | UP, Bihar, Rajasthan | 27,225 |
| 1 Ground | Tamil Nadu | 2,400 |
| 1 Kanal | Punjab, Haryana | 5,445 |